Brothers and Sisters,
We are pleased to announce an extension of the temporary SUB benefit changes that were announced on March 23rd, 2020. Please see the details below.
The Boards of Trustees of the EIT Benefit Funds (“Trustees”) want to address the ongoing public health emergency presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact upon the electrical industry employment and the corresponding impact on participants. In light of these challenging times, the Trustees have extended certain temporary benefit enhancements (“Temporary Benefits”) originally adopted March 23, 2020, as described in this letter, which is not a summary of material modifications. All of these temporary benefits expire effective November 1, 2020, unless specifically noted below.
Please read this email carefully as it provides important information about enhanced benefits you may be eligible to receive from the EIT Benefit Funds. Keep in mind that the terms and requirements of the EIT Benefit Funds, currently applicable and not otherwise discussed in this email, continue to apply in full force and effect, and capitalized terms not defined in this email have the meaning as set forth in the applicable plan’s summary plan description. If you have any questions, please contact the EIT Fund Office at 312.782.5442 or www.fundoffice.org.
CHANGES TO SUB BENEFITS
I. SUPPLEMENTAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (SUB) PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION ELECTRICIANS
The Trustees have adopted the following temporary changes to the SUB Plan for Construction Electricians effective for Layoff Dates on or after March 1, 2020:
• The seven-day waiting period to begin receiving SUB benefits is temporarily waived.
• The time period for determining whether the Contributed Hour Requirement is satisfied (to qualify for SUB benefits) is temporarily increased to either the 6 Contribution Quarters or the 18-month Review Period before a participant’s Layoff Date. (The otherwise applicable time period is either the 4 Contribution Quarters or the 12-Month review Period before a participant’s Layoff Date; the Temporary Benefit is an increase of the otherwise applicable time period.)
• SUB benefits are temporarily extended for participants who are currently receiving SUB benefits under an existing SUB claim (regardless of Layoff Date) for an additional 13 weeks once they have exhausted their existing 52-week SUB claim.
• Effective for SUB benefits payable the week beginning April 6, 2020 (regardless of Layoff Date), the weekly SUB benefit is temporarily increased to $400.00 per week for journeymen and apprentices at levels 6 to 10 and to $325.00 per week for apprentices at levels 1 to 5.
II. SUPPLEMENTAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (SUB) PLAN FOR COMMUNICATION PARTICIPANTS
The Trustees have adopted the following temporary changes to the SUB Plan for Communication Participants effective for Layoff Dates on or after March 1, 2020:
• The seven-day waiting period to begin receiving SUB benefits is temporarily waived.
• The time period for determining whether the Contributed Hour Requirement is satisfied (to qualify for SUB benefits) is temporarily increased to either the 6 Contribution Quarters or the 18-Month Review Period before a participant’s Layoff Date. (The otherwise applicable time period is either the 4 Contribution Quarters or the 12-Month review Period before a participant’s Layoff Date; the Temporary Benefit is an increase of the otherwise applicable time period.)
• SUB benefits are temporarily extended for participants who are currently receiving benefits under an existing SUB claim (regardless of Layoff Date) for an additional 13 weeks once they have exhausted their existing 52-week claim.
• Effective for SUB benefits payable the week beginning April 6, 2020 (regardless of Layoff Date), the weekly SUB benefit is temporarily increased to $275.00 per week for journeymen and apprentices at levels 5 to 8 and to $187.50 per week for apprentices at levels 1 to 4.
Additionally, the following links provide important information regarding SUB application and certification procedures. Please read them carefully:
SUB ONLINE APPLICATION
SUB ONLINE CERTIFICATION
HOW TO FIND YOUR IDES PAYMENT INFO FOR COMPLETING THE SUB ONLINE CERTIFICATION
SUB RULES
03 29 2020 ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUB ONLINE FORMS
CONDUIT - UNDERSTANDING YOUR SUB BENEFITS
COVID TESTING FOR ALL ELIGIBLE MEMBERS & DEPENDENTS
As previously announced, diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is covered for eligible participants and dependents with no cost-sharing. Telemedicine/telephone visits (billed under the applicable telemedicine CPT code) from in-network providers are covered for eligible participants and dependents with no cost-sharing until October 1, 2020. As of October 1, 2020, telemedicine/telephone visits from in-network providers will be covered based on the underlying reason for the visit and with cost-sharing (if any) applicable to such reason.
Telemedicine/telephone visits with out-of-network providers are subject to out-of-network cost-sharing (e.g., deductible, copay and/or coinsurance). Remember that you may use the secure participant portal to check your health & welfare coverage, contributed hours and to send the Fund Office secure messages. This guide can help you register on the portal and help navigate around the portal: EIT Member Self-Service User's Guide and Registration.
* New and improved benefits from the MCL and a September Update from your Local 134 Officers will be hitting mailboxes soon.
In Solidarity,
Donald Finn
Business Manager/ Financial Secretary
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